Travis Comes Home

“Oh, sorry,” she apologized. “I didn’t see you.”

He glared at her, as if trying to intimidate her. “Just so you know, I’ll be watching you. So you’d better be careful. You could take potshots at me all you wanted in Houston, but I’m not going to let you hurt my family. Do you understand?”

Josie caught the flicker of pain in his dark eyes. She recognized the look. Someone had hurt Travis Randell and hurt him badly.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said. “I’m not here to hurt anyone, Mr. Randell. I swear.” Just herself, if Hank found out her real reason for being here.

“Make sure you keep that promise, or you’ll answer to me.”

He stepped out of her way and allowed her to pass. Josie drew a long breath as she increased her pace, but suddenly felt light-headed. She grabbed hold of the porch railing, and waited for the queasiness to pass. She swayed and closed her eyes as her legs weakened. Suddenly she felt hands against her back, Travis’s. Then he gripped her by the arm and guided her to a chair on the porch.

“Put your head down,” he ordered. With a gentle nudge, he pushed her head down between her knees.

“Give it a minute and you should be feeling better.” His voice was gentle, soothing.

Josie felt scared. This had never happened to her before. After a few minutes, she raised her head slowly. “I’m okay.”

“Well, at least, your color is back.” His dark gaze locked with hers. “You shouldn’t be running around in this heat, especially if you’re not used to it.”

She was used to the heat. What she hadn’t expected was this man’s kindness. She studied his face and saw his honest concern for a stranger, a side of Travis Randell that surprised her.

But she couldn’t depend on it. If he discovered her real reason for being here, there’s no telling what he’d do. “I’m much better, thank you.” She stood and once again his expression turned hard. Turning away, she walked inside the house.

The cool air hit her as she entered the kitchen where Cade was waiting for her. She handed him the book, then sat down while he went through each page. She found she was nervous at his scrutiny. She didn’t want to get her hopes up about this job. Getting it would mean she’d be able to spend more time here and could see Hank Barrett again. Her stomach fluttered. Was that too much to hope for?

“Josie, these pictures are wonderful.” Cade looked up and smiled. “I’d like to show them to Abby if that’s all right with you? She’ll be coming by soon.”

“Of course,” Josie said, then drew a needed breath. “If you like I could develop the pictures I took in the valley this morning and get back to you.”

Just then Hank walked into the room with a tall woman with auburn hair. Smiling, she leaned down and kissed Cade. “Did I hear my name mentioned?” she said.

“Abby.” Cade stood and drew her into an embrace. “I want you to meet Josie Gutierrez. She’s a photographer who wants to apply for the job of creating our brochures.”

Abby smiled and extended her hand. “Nice to meet you, Josie.”

Josie shook it. “Nice to meet you, too.”

“I hear your peaceful morning was interrupted by my brother-in-law,” Abby said.

Josie felt her cheeks redden. Had the whole area heard about the confrontation between her and Travis? “I’m guilty. Sorry, I should have asked permission first.”

Hank stepped forward. “And I probably would have given it to you, especially if you turned that pretty smile of yours on me.”

They all laughed. Josie couldn’t believe how nice they were being to her. Well, not exactly everyone. “Let me drive into town and have the film I took this morning developed. I can bring the pictures back this afternoon.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Cade said. “We’ll be here all day.”

Just then Ella came in. “Then plan on stayin’ for supper, Josie. I always have plenty.”

“Only if you let me help prepare it,” Josie countered.

“You got yourself a deal,” Hank said with an eager smile.

Josie said her goodbyes and left. She was heading for her car when she heard Travis’s voice.

“Leaving so soon, Ms. Gutierrez?”

She stopped but told herself she wasn’t going to let him goad her. “Yes, I’m driving into town.”

“Do you need any directions? Wouldn’t want you to get lost again and end up on private property. A person could get shot.”

Josie had had enough. Travis Randell didn’t trust her. She had a feeling it wasn’t just her, but her entire gender. And if he found out the real reason she was here, he’d get rid of her for sure.

“I’m never going to convince you that I mean you no harm. But I need this job.” She saw the stony gaze on his face and knew she wasn’t getting anywhere. “So, expect me back.”

Before she could climb in the car, he grabbed her arm. “Don’t threaten me, lady. I’m about at the end of my rope with your kind. You see, I know firsthand what an aggressive woman can do when she wants something. I lost nearly everything I’ve worked for because I trusted one. It won’t happen again. The only thing I have left is my family, and by God, you better not hurt them. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” she said and jerked away. Trembling, she managed to put on her seat belt, and start the car. After shifting into first gear, she started down the road to the highway. Tears welled in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Not over a guy like Travis Randell. He wasn’t worth it. But darn it, he had everything she had always wanted. A family.

Josie shifted into second gear, picking up speed as she glanced in her rearview mirror. He was still watching her. Why wouldn’t the man just go away? She looked back at the road but not in time to find a cow blocking her way. She hit the brakes but knew it was futile. She couldn’t stop in time. When she jerked the wheel to avoid the collision, her car veered off the road onto the dry grass. A scream escaped her as the car bumped over the rough terrain toward the huge tree. Oh, God, she was going to crash. All her thoughts turned to her baby as the impact threw her forward into the windshield and pain coursed through her body. Then everything went black.

Travis raced for the truck the second he saw Josie’s car heading for the Hereford. His heart was pounding wildly as he hurled down the road praying he could help her, but he’d seen her car go into the tree and knew she couldn’t walk away. At the scene, he jumped out of the truck and raced to the wrecked car and yanked open the door. His pulse went into over-drive when he saw Josie’s limp body against the steering wheel.

He gently nudged her. “Josie. Josie, come on, darlin’ wake up.”

He got a moan for his efforts.

Carefully he pulled her back against the seat. He brushed wayward strands of hair from her pale face. “Come on, Josie, wake up.” He stroked her soft cheek. She moaned again, then finally her eyelids fluttered as she clutched her stomach. “My baby. Please, don’t let anything happen to my baby.”

Chapter Two

Josie’s head hurt but not as badly as her ankle. She opened her eyes. The sudden light caused her to blink, but she ignored the brightness and glanced around the stark-white room. Where was she? she wondered.

Oh, God, what happened? Her thoughts flashed back to Travis’s soothing words promising her that she was going to be okay as he had lifted her out of the car. Then in the truck, the sound of his voice drifting in and out as he drove down the road.

Josie tried to sit up, but the pain in her head intensified and she groaned.

Suddenly Travis Randell appeared beside her. “Take it easy there,” he said as he helped her lie back down.

“Where am I?”

“A small hospital just outside San Angelo.”

A hospital. She didn’t have any money for a hospital. “I can’t stay here.”

He leaned over the bed, so close she could see the golden flecks in his eyes. “You haven’t any choice, Josie. You could be seriously injured.”

Panic raced through her as her hand moved to her flat stomach. “Oh, no.”